As NFL trade buzz heats up with the deadline on October 31, general managers such as Las Vegas Raiders’ David Ziegler must figure out a direction for their teams for the remainder of the 2023 season.
Who’s going to sell assets and look toward the future, and who will look to acquire players in a push for postseason contention this year? It’s not an easy answer for Vegas.
At 3-4, the Raiders can go either way and will likely play both roles as buyers and sellers before the deadline, but what’s the primary focus? Will Ziegler make a concerted effort to acquire players who can help the team win now, or will he trade veterans to speed up the developmental process for inexperienced players on the roster and acquire draft capital?
Not long ago, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini spoke to Raiders owner Mark Davis about the team’s trade deadline approach.
“I recently spoke to Raiders owner Mark Davis at the annual fall league meeting in New York and asked him, ‘You sellers?’ He responded, ‘We’re trying to win.’ This aligns with the conversations I have had around the league about the Raiders’ philosophy: They are looking to successfully compete, not tear down.”
Last week, Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz said the Raiders would be “big buyers” at the deadline.
Though multiple reporters get the idea that the Raiders will acquire talent, the team’s 30-12 loss to the Chicago Bears and another embarrassing defeat in a Monday Night Football game with the Detroit Lions could shift the team into sell mode.
Nearly two months into this season, Las Vegas has yet to score more than 21 points or rush for 97-plus yards in a contest. Because of the team’s offensive ineptitude under head coach and lead play-caller Josh McDaniels, the Raiders’ season can go off the rails with a losing streak if they’re blown out in back-to-back games with minimal scoring production.
Through seven weeks, the Raiders average the third-fewest points per game, and they’re 22nd in yards allowed per contest (total defense).
Ziegler must have a moment of clarity about the trajectory of his squad. Can the Raiders become legitimate playoff contenders this season? If not, he should sell his top assets not named Davante Adams or Maxx Crosby, the two leaders on offense and defense, respectively.
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Reasons for the Las Vegas Raiders to sell at NFL trade deadline
Anyone who watched the Bears thump the Raiders last Sunday can see they’re not a postseason contender right now. While teams don’t actively lose games on purpose, front offices and coaching staffs will come to an agreement that it’s best to move veterans with trade value and focus on player development, which usually results in losses and a higher position in the draft order.
The Raiders have a $104-plus million offense that’s one of the bottom units in scoring and yards. They should try to recoup some cap space, add draft capital and perhaps attempt to do more with less costly players.
Among the players with significant trade value, Josh Jacobs could garner suitors if available. Though he’s statistically in a down year, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, he’s coming off his best year at 25 years old. Las Vegas should be able to fetch a Day 2 pick for him.
Keep in mind that the Green Bay Packers showed interest in Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor before he signed an extension. If the Packers still have an interest in a ball-carrier because of Aaron Jones’ limitations with a lingering hamstring injury, they may have their eyes on Jacobs if he’s available on the trade block.
The Raiders may want to move Jacobs if they don’t plan to re-sign him in the 2024 offseason. Remember, the team chose to franchise-tag him, and he skipped training camp and preseason in hopes of signing a long-term deal.
The front office doesn’t seem eager to sign Jacobs to a multiyear contract, so why not trade him for draft capital? Ziegler should be able to get something for a young two-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro running back. Jacobs may also welcome a change of scenery in order to boost his production before he hits the free-agent market.
Somehow, Ziegler has to trade Hunter Renfrow to move on from a “fractured relationship” between Renfrow and McDaniels.
In seven games, Renfrow has been targeted 12 times, catching eight passes for 73 yards. He has played more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in only two games.
Because of Renfrow’s low production, the front office will likely have to package him with a draft pick and eat some of his fully guaranteed 2023 salary to move him elsewhere.
Other than Jacobs and Renfrow, Ziegler could place Jermaine Eluemunor on the trade block and hope to snag a Day 3 pick in return for him. He has starting experience at four different positions across the offensive line, but he’s splitting snaps with Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle.
McDaniels could trade Eluemunor (if he attracts suitors) and hand Munford the full-time starting job at right tackle. Because Eluemunor plays a high-premium position with versatility and experience on both sides of the offensive line, a true playoff contender may have an interest in him.
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Reasons for Las Vegas Raiders to buy at the deadline
As buyers, the Raiders don’t necessarily have to acquire talent with 2023 in mind. They could bring in guys who can help them beyond this season, which means acquiring players on modest or rookie deals.
The Raiders could even acquire veterans on expiring contracts with the intent to reward that player with a new contract if he plays well in the second half of the season.
While trade deadline additions may not help the Raiders overcome their shortcomings enough to earn a playoff berth, they could become part of the team’s long-term plan, especially guys with potential or in the prime of their careers.
Ziegler should call the Carolina Panthers (0-6), Arizona Cardinals (1-6), Tennessee Titans (2-4) and any club with just two wins because those teams are more likely to trade decent players for draft capital or to clear cap space in preparation for free agency in 2024.
Who knows?
Perhaps the Raiders show signs of improvement with another small wave of incoming talent to complement the players on the roster.
Two weeks ago, Russini reported that McDaniels “could be in trouble” if Las Vegas doesn’t start winning games. If that’s true, the Raiders may be aggressive in acquiring established veterans as the team’s lead skipper tries to keep himself off the hot seat.
So, while some of us believe the Raiders have no business acquiring talent because they’re not a playoff-caliber squad, McDaniels may push to buy at the trade deadline while in survival mode.
On top of that, does Adams have enough time to stick around for a full-blown rebuild? In order to maximize Crosby’s prime, why not add an interior pass-rusher to complement him on the defensive line?
Lastly, none of Ziegler’s draft picks have shown anything special yet. Though a few guys have made strides, the Raiders may need established commodities to compensate for the slow growth of the previous two rookie classes.
Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for Sportsnaut. You can follow him on Twitter at @MoeMoton.